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Math Starter of the Day - Transum Software
Grades
4 to 8
This math website provides daily "math starters" in a variety of mathematic topics. There is one activity per day (366 for each year). This website provides a variety ...more
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This math website provides daily "math starters" in a variety of mathematic topics. There is one activity per day (366 for each year). This website provides a variety of math challenges that are creative, engaging, and easy to incorporate into your classroom routine.
tag(s): addition (129), decimals (85), division (98), fractions (160), money (113), multiplication (122), subtraction (110), vision (44)
In the Classroom
Use an interactive whiteboard or projector to share this website to start your math class. The activities are sure to clear the cobwebs in your students' minds. There is something for everyone.Logic and Reasoning Games - Math Playground
Grades
K to 12Use this website to "clear out the cobwebs" in your students' minds. The site offers several interactive logic activities. Many require no reading. A few examples include Tetris, Rubik's...more
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Use this website to "clear out the cobwebs" in your students' minds. The site offers several interactive logic activities. Many require no reading. A few examples include Tetris, Rubik's Cube, Sliders, Towers and more.
tag(s): gifted (66), logic (161), problem solving (233), puzzles (149), substitutes (25)
In the Classroom
Use one of these on an interactive whiteboard as a brain warm-up at the beginning of class or as student enter the room. If you have a difficult group in a study hall, this site could keep them busy in a positive way. Substitutes will also love it! Include this link in your class's newsletter, classroom computer, or teacher web page for extra challenges and enrichment. Teachers of gifted can challenge their students to write "how to" directions for how to solve these puzzles, once they have figured them out!Lateral Puzzles - WebRing
Grades
3 to 12Build higher level thinking skills, especially flexibility in how students visualize and interpret a brief story. This challenging and interactive website has Lateral puzzles, both...more
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Build higher level thinking skills, especially flexibility in how students visualize and interpret a brief story. This challenging and interactive website has Lateral puzzles, both "active" and "solved." Registration is required if you guess an answer to one of the "active" puzzles. Registration is not necessary for reading the puzzles and clues. This site gives a lateral puzzle, and then the readers can ask questions to the original poster. Some of the "solved" puzzles could be used with younger students. However, the site is geared towards middle school and high school aged students.
Not sure what a Lateral Puzzle is? Read the FAQ section!
Not sure what a Lateral Puzzle is? Read the FAQ section!
tag(s): gifted (66), puzzles (149), thinking skills (17)
In the Classroom
Challenge your class with a "lateral puzzle of the day". This site would be perfect for your gifted students or to get everyone thinking at the start of class. Be sure to include the link on your web page! For an extra challenge when students have mastered the puzzles, ask them to analyze how they work and write some of their own.Math Contest - Ole' Miss
Grades
3 to 12Find a problem of the week for elementary, middle and high school (algebra) as well as archived past problems on this simple site. You can submit your correct answer and ...more
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Find a problem of the week for elementary, middle and high school (algebra) as well as archived past problems on this simple site. You can submit your correct answer and get your name listed as a winner for that week. New problems appear on Mondays.
In the Classroom
Include this link on your teacher web page or start class with it each week on a projector, giving extra credit to those whose names appear on the web page by the weekend!Analytical Problems And Puzzles - folj.com
Grades
3 to 12This very simple site, created by an anonymous puzzle-lover, is a treasury for logic problems and lateral thinking puzzles to use in your classroom or beyond. Click on the puzzle ...more
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This very simple site, created by an anonymous puzzle-lover, is a treasury for logic problems and lateral thinking puzzles to use in your classroom or beyond. Click on the puzzle type you want. Use them as brain warm-ups in a math or science class before venturing into problem-solving or inquiry process or simply to engage the brains before starting any activity. There are different levels of logic and different types of lateral thinking puzzles, each with a hint before revealing the complete answer. These puzzles would also be useful for gifted enrichment.
In the Classroom
If you don't have time to spend on these in class as often as you would like, print out a single lateral thinking or logic problem each week for your bulletin board and let the students argue about it all week. Or include this link on your teacher website for the students to access outside of class. This site is a life-saver for your study hall the day before a vacation!World Geography Quizzes - Sheppard Software
Grades
3 to 12With such poor results as a nation on geography testing, we all should try these geography games to build student knowledge of U.S. and world geography. Students can click on ...more
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With such poor results as a nation on geography testing, we all should try these geography games to build student knowledge of U.S. and world geography. Students can click on the region of the world and practice at different levels of difficulty. Even adults can find a challenge. Offered in a "dial up version" for those accessing the sites from a slower connection.
tag(s): capitals (16), continents (33), countries (73), maps (220)
In the Classroom
Be sure to put a link for these online games and quizzes on your teacher web page for the summer and throughout the school year. Students can use them to practice for your geography quizzes or as extra challenges. The different levels of dificulty will allow you to differentiate your instruction easily.Matchstick Puzzles - zefrank.com
Grades
5 to 12These six puzzles, involving virtual matchsticks, require some clever out-of-the-box thinking. Follow the directions to create a specific number of equal rectangles by moving a limited...more
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These six puzzles, involving virtual matchsticks, require some clever out-of-the-box thinking. Follow the directions to create a specific number of equal rectangles by moving a limited number of matches. It's tougher than it looks. No hints given!
tag(s): puzzles (149)
In the Classroom
This is a great find for gifted students. Share the site on an interactive whiteboard or projector, and allow students to work on the puzzles in teams. Have the teams compete to see who can solve the puzzles the fastest, or complete the most. This site is tricky, but is an excellent enrichment activity for a unit on logic or geometry.Random Sudoku
Grades
7 to 12Any Sudoku fans in your classroom? Send them to this site that provides problem-solving techniques, helpful for successfully conquering some of the most fiendish puzzles. Learn about...more
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Any Sudoku fans in your classroom? Send them to this site that provides problem-solving techniques, helpful for successfully conquering some of the most fiendish puzzles. Learn about crosshatching, slicing and dicing, and "penciling in." Discover the five rules that stress finding numbers for squares, rather than finding squares for umbers. This truly is a site for the Sudoku aficionados among us.
Scrabble
Grades
5 to 12The challenge and creativity of the original board game comes alive in this virtual version. Review the available tools that can undo, redo, withdraw, sort, and even save an ...more
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The challenge and creativity of the original board game comes alive in this virtual version. Review the available tools that can undo, redo, withdraw, sort, and even save an uncompleted game. Although this "solitaire" Scrabble game misses the group interaction of the traditional version, it provides a great opportunity for creative, independent thought related to spelling and vocabulary.
tag(s): spelling (98), vocabulary (238)
In the Classroom
This "just for fun" activity can be utilized as a meaningful reward for completing class work early. Channel students to this site for some vocabulary building during down-time.Mankala - Roger E. Critchlow, Jr.
Grades
7 to 12Most students are familiar with the traditional Mankala game that uses a rectangular wooden board and stones, but this online version adds a few interesting options and variations....more
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Most students are familiar with the traditional Mankala game that uses a rectangular wooden board and stones, but this online version adds a few interesting options and variations. Read the instructions carefully! Students can play against the computer or with a partner.
In the Classroom
Add this mind-stretching game of strategy to a unit on African history and culture. A nice activity to add to a celebration of Black History Month.Brain Food - Rinkworks
Grades
5 to 8Word games, logic problems, and riddles can provide invaluable problem-solving practice for your students, regardless of your subject area. This site offers links to hundreds of challenging...more
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Word games, logic problems, and riddles can provide invaluable problem-solving practice for your students, regardless of your subject area. This site offers links to hundreds of challenging activities that will provide a work-out for the mind.
In the Classroom
Use these activities as enrichment options in your classroom.The Ultimate Puzzle Site
Grades
4 to 12This collection of puzzles, riddles, brainteasers, and interactive tests challenges students to think outside of the box and improve their analytical skills while having fun. Puzzles...more
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This collection of puzzles, riddles, brainteasers, and interactive tests challenges students to think outside of the box and improve their analytical skills while having fun. Puzzles are graded by level of difficulty and the amount of math needed to arrive at a solution.
Activities: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - TeachersFirst
Grades
4 to 8TeachersFirst offers a chapter-by-chapter set of activities for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Designed to be used after each chapter, the activities include science searches,...more
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TeachersFirst offers a chapter-by-chapter set of activities for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Designed to be used after each chapter, the activities include science searches, writing, and art projects suitable for individual or group use. The ideas and activities ask you to respond, extend, discuss, create, and more. There is simply no better way to try new "After Reading" strategies. Don't miss this great collection as a way to encourage anyone to get the most from reading and re-reading a new favorite. Find links to activities for two other Harry Potter books on the Intro page.
tag(s): harry potter (9)
In the Classroom
Share the link on your teacher web page or in a parent newsletter, if you don't have time to do all the activities at school. Challenge students to design similar activities to accompany other Harry Potter (or other favorite) books.Activities: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - TeachersFirst
Grades
4 to 8TeachersFirst offers a set of chapter-by-chapter response activities for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Use art, writing, and web research to answer questions or think about...more
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TeachersFirst offers a set of chapter-by-chapter response activities for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Use art, writing, and web research to answer questions or think about the issues in a particular chapter. Ideal for individual use, and many of these could serve as the basis for a group discussion on topics like loyalty and leadership. The ideas and activities ask you to respond, extend, discuss, create, and more. There is simply no better way to try new "After Reading strategies. Don't miss this great collection as a way to encourage anyone to get the most from reading and re-reading a new favorite. Find links to two other sets of Harry Potter book activities on the Intro page.
tag(s): harry potter (9), reading strategies (96)
In the Classroom
Share the link on your teacher web page or in a parent newsletter, if you don't have time to do all the activities at school. Ask students to design similar activities to accompany other Harry Potter (or other favorite) books.Jig Zone - jigzone.com
Grades
1 to 12Make this virtual jigsaw puzzle site available for those inevitable moments of "downtime" in the classroom. Choose a topic from the gallery (preferably one that relates to your curriculum),...more
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Make this virtual jigsaw puzzle site available for those inevitable moments of "downtime" in the classroom. Choose a topic from the gallery (preferably one that relates to your curriculum), select a level of difficulty (number of pieces), and start the challege. These puzzles are not only a lot of fun, but good exercises for developing spatial skills. The pop-ups are annoying but can be blocked by Windows XP. Allow time for the site to load. Check the Frequently Asked Questions link (at the bottom of the page)for troubleshooting if you are having difficulty making the puzzles work.
tag(s): puzzles (149)
In the Classroom
Combine a brain-warming activity with a bit of review, and create your own jig-saws for students to solve! First, access the section entitled "Turn your photos into puzzles," and select an image pertinent to a specific unit and upload it to the site. Once the jigsaw puzzle has been created, have students open the puzzle on individual computers and compete to see who can get the best time putting the image back together! The best images to use would be diagrams, or model images of a particular object. This site works amazingly well for science classes were students need to be familiar with specific images. An example would be have anatomy students re-construct skeletal images, etc. A clever way to get their minds thinking!Word Morph - WordPlays.com
Grades
6 to 12This challenging, interactive word game is more than a "just-for-fun" activity. Students must use strategy and vocabulary skills to make changes to a starting word - one letter at a...more
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This challenging, interactive word game is more than a "just-for-fun" activity. Students must use strategy and vocabulary skills to make changes to a starting word - one letter at a time - and form a new word. Each word morph can be solved in 10 moves or less, but must be completed within 5 minutes. A purposeful and competitive "filler" to add to a language arts class.
tag(s): thesaurus (22), vocabulary (238), word choice (14)
In the Classroom
Use this site as a learning station for students who may finish work early, and need something productive to do to avoid bothering other students. To make it competitive, keep a record board near the computer where students can log their high scores. Competing against each other may make students more interested to play for a new minutes at a time, and less likely to disturb others in testing situations.SAT Preparation Center - The College Board
Grades
7 to 12For students approaching that ever-important College Board test, this site is an invaluable resource. Features include a "question of the day," a series of practice questions that address...more
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For students approaching that ever-important College Board test, this site is an invaluable resource. Features include a "question of the day," a series of practice questions that address math, critical reading, and writing skills, a review of the dreaded essay question, and a full-length practice test that can be downloaded and printed after completing free registration.
Hangman
Grades
4 to 12Whether your students are learning how to spell the fifty states, reviewing chemistry terms, or trying out their foreign language skills, this collection of thematic hang-man games...more
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Whether your students are learning how to spell the fifty states, reviewing chemistry terms, or trying out their foreign language skills, this collection of thematic hang-man games can provide a fun way to practice! Select a topic (most are curriculum-related, a few are just for fun) and try the interactive games, or print out the blank hang-man worksheets and create your own.
tag(s): grammar review (31)
Nrich - Cambridge University
Grades
1 to 12This collection of games, and articles is designed to challenge students to use their problem solving skills. Activities are organized according to UK education system levels, but click...more
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This collection of games, and articles is designed to challenge students to use their problem solving skills. Activities are organized according to UK education system levels, but click on Help for an easy conversion guide. Each problem includes a question, related pictures or diagrams, a form for students to submit their solution, and helpful hints and notes for parents and teachers. A weekly challenge is also offered. Complete the free registration to participate in a discussion forum, pose questions online, or post messages.
tag(s): problem solving (233)
Cool Math for Kids
Grades
4 to 8Students can practice and review skills related to basic geometry, fractions, logic, and problem solving with these fun and interactive activities. Highlights include a virtual lemonade...more
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Students can practice and review skills related to basic geometry, fractions, logic, and problem solving with these fun and interactive activities. Highlights include a virtual lemonade stand game (manage your own business to make a profit!), a collection of thought-provoking "Brain Benders," and "ArithmATTACK" - a computer driven game that challenges kids to see how many arithmetic problems they can answer in one minute.